Dryer

Abstract

This dryer comprises: a drum in which an object to be dried is accommodated; a heat exchanger for heating and drying air to be supplied to the interior of the drum; and a rear plate for guiding the high-temperature dry air supplied from the heat exchanger. The rear plate comprises: a first opening through which the high-temperature dry air supplied from the heat exchanger is introduced; a duct coupled to the rear surface of the rear plate so that the high-temperature dry air introduced through the first opening flows along the rear surface of the rear plate; and a second opening through which the high-temperature dry air flowing through the duct along the rear surface of the rear plate is discharged to the front surface of the rear plate so as to be supplied to the drum.

Description

dryer

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a dryer, and more particularly, to a dryer including a rear plate provided inside the dryer and capable of improving structural stability and sufficiently securing a flow rate of high-temperature dry air supplied into the drum.

[0002] A dryer is a device that dries wet clothing (hereinafter referred to as "objects to be dried") by rotating a drum and supplying hot air into the drum. The dryer blows hot air (high-temperature dry air) into the drum to dry the objects contained therein. A common example of a dryer is a clothing dryer, which dries wet laundry after washing.

[0003] Aspects of embodiments of the present disclosure will be set forth in part in the description that follows, and in part will be apparent from the description or may be learned by practice of the embodiments presented.

[0004] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a dryer includes a drum that accommodates a drying object; a heat exchanger that heats and dries air to be supplied into the interior of the drum; and a rear plate that guides high-temperature dry air supplied from the heat exchanger; wherein the rear plate may include a first opening through which high-temperature dry air supplied from the heat exchanger is introduced; a duct coupled to a rear surface of the rear plate so that the high-temperature dry air introduced through the first opening flows along a rear surface of the rear plate; and a second opening that discharges the high-temperature dry air flowing through the duct along the rear surface of the rear plate to a front surface of the rear plate so that the high-temperature dry air is supplied to the drum.

[0005] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the rear plate may include an air guide portion provided on the front surface of the rear plate and guiding high-temperature dry air discharged through the second opening to the drum.

[0006] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the air guide portion corresponds to the rear surface of the drum and can be recessed from the front surface of the rear plate toward the rear surface of the rear plate.

[0007] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the air guide portion is formed in a circular shape and can radially guide the high-temperature dry air discharged through the second opening toward the rear of the drum.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the second opening may be formed in a part of the air guide portion in a straight line with the first opening.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the leading end of the duct may have a shape corresponding to the rear surface of the air guide portion at the second opening and the leading end is in close contact with the air guide portion at the second opening, and the rear end of the duct may extend in the direction of the first opening.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the rear plate includes a heater insertable into the interior of the duct through a rear end of the duct, the heater including an inlet facing the first opening when the heater is inserted into the interior of the duct; a first air intake guide; and a second air intake guide; wherein the first air intake guide and the second air intake guide can extend from the inlet of the heater to expand the inlet of the heater.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, one of the first air intake guide and the second air intake guide may be fixed to the rear surface of the rear plate.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the rear plate may include a shaft receiving portion disposed within the air guide portion and protruding forward of the rear plate, and the dryer may include a support shaft coupled to the shaft receiving portion to rotatably support the drum.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the shaft receiving portion is disposed at the center of the air guide portion, and the air guide portion and the shaft receiving portion may form a protruding structure together.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the rear plate may include a first coupling protrusion and a second coupling protrusion protruding toward the rear of the rear plate, and the duct may include a first coupling hole and a second coupling hole on both sides of the duct to which the first coupling protrusion and the second coupling protrusion are coupled, respectively.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the rear plate may include a rear panel that is detachably coupled to the rear surface of the rear plate and covers the first opening, the second opening, and the duct when coupled to the rear surface of the rear plate.

[0016] The above dryer may further include a blower fan for forcibly conveying high temperature dry air through the first opening.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the blower fan may be positioned adjacent to the first opening on the base.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the blower fan is disposed in the first opening, and the first opening may have a size larger than an outer diameter of the blower fan so as to be spaced apart from the outside of the blower fan.

[0019] These and / or other aspects of the present disclosure will become clearer and more readily understood when considered in conjunction with the description of the following embodiments and the accompanying drawings.

[0020] FIG. 1 is a drawing illustrating a dryer according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0021] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a side cross-section of a dryer according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0022] FIG. 3 is a drawing showing a base of a dryer according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0023] FIG. 4 is an exploded view showing an example of a duct, heater, and rear cover being coupled to a rear plate of a dryer according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0024] FIG. 5 is a front view of a rear plate of a dryer according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0025] FIG. 6 is a drawing of a duct and a heater coupled to a rear plate of a dryer according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0026] FIG. 7 is a drawing showing a duct provided on a rear plate of a dryer according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0027] FIG. 8 is a drawing showing a portion where a duct is joined in a rear plate of a dryer according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0028] FIG. 9 is a drawing showing a heater provided on a rear plate of a dryer according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0029] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the flow of high-temperature drying air through a rear plate of a dryer according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0030] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional side view of a dryer according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0031] FIG. 12 is an exploded view showing an example of a duct and heater being coupled to a rear plate of a dryer according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0032] The embodiments described in this specification and the configurations illustrated in the drawings are merely one or more embodiments of the disclosed invention, and there may be various modified examples that can replace the embodiments and drawings of this specification at the time of filing of this application.

[0033] The same reference numbers or symbols presented in each drawing of this specification represent parts or components that perform substantially the same function.

[0034] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing embodiments and is not intended to limit and / or restrict the disclosed invention. The singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this specification, the terms “comprise” or “have” and the like are intended to specify the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0035] Terms including ordinal numbers such as “first,” “second,” etc., used herein may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by the terms, and the terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, the first component may be referred to as the second component, and similarly, the second component may also be referred to as the first component. The term “and / or” includes any combination of a plurality of related listed items or any one of a plurality of related listed items. The singular form includes the plural form unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0036] The terms “leading end”, “rear end”, “upper end”, “lower end”, “front end”, “rear end”, “top” and “bottom end”, “X-axis direction”, “Y-axis direction”, “Z-axis direction”, etc. used in the description below are defined based on the drawings, and the shape and position of each component are not limited by these terms.

[0037] Hereinafter, a dryer according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the attached drawings. A dryer (1) according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure can be used to dry and / or manage objects to be dried (e.g., clothing, shoes, miscellaneous goods, etc.).

[0038] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a dryer according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a dryer according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a base of a dryer according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0039] In Fig. 1, the direction along the X-axis can be defined as the front-back direction of the dryer (1), the direction along the Y-axis can be defined as the left-right direction of the dryer (1), and the direction along the Z-axis can be defined as the up-down direction of the dryer (1).

[0040] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a dryer (1) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a main body (10). The main body (10) includes a front surface (11), an upper surface (12), a side surface (13), a rear surface (14), and a lower surface (15), and may be provided in an approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape.

[0041] A recovery water tank (16) may be provided in the main body (10). For example, the recovery water tank (16) may be provided on the upper part of the front (11) of the main body (10). The recovery water tank (16) may store condensate generated by the operation of a refrigerant cycle to be described later.

[0042] An input unit (17) for operating the dryer may be provided in the main body (10). Specifically, the input unit (17) may be provided on the upper part of the front surface (11) of the main body (10). The input unit (17) may include at least one of a rotary switch (17a), a display (17b), and a button (17c). The rotary switch (17a) may be provided so that a user can select a mode of the dryer (1) by holding and rotating it. The display (17b) may be provided so as to display the operating status of the dryer (1) and / or the operating status of the user. The display (17b) may be provided so as to enable touch input. The button (17c) may be provided so that a user can select a mode of the dryer (1) by pressing it. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various operating methods may be applied.

[0043] The main body (10) may include a base (60). The base (60) may be provided at the lower portion of the main body (10) to form a lower surface (15). A leg (19) for supporting the main body (10) may be provided on the lower surface (15).

[0044] The dryer (1) may include a drum (20) provided to accommodate a material to be dried. The drum (20) may include an inlet into which the material to be dried is introduced. The drum (20) may be rotatably arranged within the main body (10).

[0045] The dryer (1) may include a driving unit that rotates a drum (20). Referring to FIG. 3, the driving unit may include a driving motor (31) mounted on a base (60), a pulley (32) that rotates by the driving motor (31), and a belt (not shown) that connects the pulley (32) and the drum (20) to transmit the power of the driving motor (31) to the drum (20).

[0046] The dryer (1) can dehumidify the external space by taking in moist external air with the door (30) open and discharging the dried air through the refrigerant cycle of the heat exchanger (70). At this time, the dryer (1) can form an open flow path by opening the door (30). The dryer (1) can further include a dehumidifying unit (100) so that the open flow path can be formed even when the door (30) is closed.

[0047] Referring to FIG. 2, the drum (20) may include an inlet (21) through which air is introduced into the inside of the drum (23) and an outlet (22) through which air is discharged from the inside of the drum (23) to the outside of the drum. The inlet (21) may be formed on one side of the drum (20), and the outlet (22) may be formed on the other side of the drum (20). For example, the inlet (21) may be a rear-side opening of the drum (20), and the outlet (22) may be a front-side opening of the drum (20). The front-side opening of the drum (20) may be an inlet of the drum (20).

[0048] The inlet (21) of the drum (20) may be covered by the rear plate (200). The duct (230) of the rear plate (200), which will be described later, may be connected to the inlet (21) of the drum (20). High-temperature dry air passing through the duct (230) of the rear plate (200) may enter the drum (20) through the inlet (21) and dry the drying object accommodated in the drum (20). After drying the drying object, the air containing a large amount of moisture may exit the drum (20) through the outlet (22).

[0049] A plurality of lifters (24) may be arranged inside the drum (20). The lifters (24) raise and drop the drying object so that the drying object comes into contact with hot air while floating in the space inside the drum (20).

[0050] In order to allow the drying target to be fed into the drum (20), an inlet (25) may be formed on the front of the main body (10), and a door (30) for opening and closing the inlet (25) may be installed. The door (30) may be hinged to one side of the inlet (25) and provided to be rotatable.

[0051] A base (60) may be placed below the drum (20). Referring to FIG. 3, a heat exchanger (70), a compressor (73), an expansion device (74), etc., which form a refrigerant cycle, may be mounted on the base (60). A blower fan (80), a driving motor (31), a pulley (32), etc., may be mounted on the base (60). A base cover (75) may be provided on the upper portion of the base (60) to cover the heat exchanger (70), etc. For example, the base cover (75) may form a duct structure together with the base (60).

[0052] A blower fan (80) may be provided on the base (60). The blower fan (80) may generate a blowing force to form an air flow path. For example, the blower fan (80) may discharge air in a radial direction. To this end, the blower fan (80) may include a rotation axis (83) formed at the center and a plurality of blades (84) formed in a circumferential direction around the rotation axis (83).

[0053] Meanwhile, in the drying mode, a closed path may be formed inside the main body (10) of the dryer (1). Here, the closed path may be an air movement path (see arrows in Fig. 2) configured to allow air inside the cabinet to circulate through the heat exchanger (70) and the drum (20). The closed path may not be connected to the outside of the main body (10) so that air outside the main body (10) is not introduced or discharged. In other words, the air flow may form a closed loop.

[0054] The filter unit (50) can be detachably mounted on the dryer (1). Specifically, the filter unit (50) can be detachably mounted inside the main body (10) through an opening (65) provided at the lower portion of the front surface (11) of the main body (10). The opening (65) can be opened and closed by the lower door (40) of the main body (10). The filter unit (50) can be mounted on or detached from the unit receiving portion (61). The filter unit (50) can prevent air from escaping on a closed path. That is, the filter unit (50) can prevent the drying efficiency of the dryer (1) from being lowered. The filter unit (50) can be placed on the base (60).

[0055] When the filter unit (50) is removed through the opening (65) and the dehumidifying unit (100) is mounted on the dryer (1), the closed path can be converted into an open path. Accordingly, the dryer (1) can perform a dehumidifying operation (dehumidifying mode). That is, the dryer can be converted from a drying mode to a dehumidifying mode.

[0056] Here, the open path may be an air movement path in which external air is sucked into the dryer (1), passes through the heat exchanger (70) and the drum (20), and then discharged to the outside of the dryer (1). Alternatively, the open path may be an air movement path in which external air is sucked into the dryer (1), passes through the heat exchanger (70), and then discharged to the outside of the dryer (1). The inlet port (not shown) and the outlet port (not shown) at both ends of the dehumidifying unit (100) are each connected to the outside of the main body (10), and the air flow may form an open loop.

[0057] Humid air from outside, i.e., air before dehumidification, can be introduced into the body (110) of the dehumidification unit (100) through the inlet port of the dehumidification unit (100). The introduced air can pass through an outlet (not shown) along an inlet path provided inside the body (110). The air passing through the outlet can pass through a heat exchanger (70). Specifically, the air passing through the outlet can exchange heat with the evaporator (71) and the condenser (72) while passing through the evaporator (71) and the condenser (72). Accordingly, the air passing through the heat exchanger (70) can become high-temperature dry air. Here, the meaning of 'high temperature' is a relatively higher temperature than the air before passing through the heat exchanger (70), and does not mean that it is absolutely hot. The air, from which moisture has been removed while passing through the heat exchanger (70), can pass through the inlet (21) of the drum (20), the inside of the drum (23), and the outlet (22) and can be introduced into the body (110) of the dehumidifying unit (100) through the inlet of the dehumidifying unit (100) connected to the outlet (22) of the drum (20). A blower fan (80) can be arranged in a path connecting the outlet (22) of the drum (20) and the inlet of the dehumidifying unit (100). The blower fan (80) can allow the dehumidified air to move smoothly. The air introduced into the body (110) can be discharged to the outside of the main body (10) through the outlet port along the discharge path (not shown) of the dehumidifying unit (100). Ultimately, air before dehumidification is drawn in from the outside and dehumidified by exchanging heat with a heat exchanger (70) inside the dryer (1), and the air after dehumidification can be discharged outside the dryer (1). By this air flow, a dehumidification operation (dehumidification mode) can be performed.

[0058] Hereinafter, the structure of the rear plate (200) and the duct (230) and heater (250) provided on the rear plate (200) will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0059] FIG. 4 is an exploded view illustrating an example of a duct, a heater, and a rear cover being coupled to a rear plate of a dryer according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a front view of a rear plate of a dryer according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0060] Referring to Fig. 4, the rear plate (200) is positioned at the rear of the drum (20) and can form the rear (14) of the dryer (1) (see Fig. 2). The rear plate (200) can guide high-temperature dry air passing through the heat exchanger (70) to the inlet (21) of the drum (20). In this way, the air path provided in the dryer (1) can form a loop connecting the base (60), the rear plate (200), and the inside of the drum (23).

[0061] A first opening (201) may be provided at the lower portion of the rear plate (200) to communicate with an exhaust port (63) provided at the rear of the base (60). High-temperature dry air that has been forcibly passed through the heat exchanger (70) by the blower fan (80) may be guided to the rear of the rear plate (200) by passing through the exhaust port (63) and the first opening (201) of the rear plate (200).

[0062] Referring to Fig. 5, an air guide portion (203a) may be provided on the front of the rear plate (200) to guide high-temperature dry air passing through the second opening (204) to the inlet (21) of the drum (20). The air guide portion (203a) may be formed in a groove shape that is sunken to a predetermined depth toward the rear of the rear plate (200). The air guide portion (203a) may be formed in a roughly circular shape to guide air radially.

[0063] The rear plate (200) may include a second opening (204) that guides high-temperature dry air that has passed through the first opening (201) and moved to the rear of the rear plate (200) to the front of the rear plate (200). The second opening (204) of the rear plate (200) may be formed in a portion of the air guide portion (203a). For example, the second opening (204) of the rear plate (200) may be formed by removing a portion of the air guide portion (203a). The second opening (204) of the rear plate (200) may be positioned adjacent to the first opening (201) of the rear plate (200).

[0064] A shaft receiving portion (205) may be provided on the rear side of the rear plate (200) to which a support shaft (240, see FIG. 2) for supporting the rotation of the drum (20) is disposed. The shaft receiving portion (205) may protrude in a roughly conical shape toward the front of the rear plate (200). A through hole (207) into which the support shaft (240) is inserted may be provided at the center of the shaft receiving portion (205).

[0065] The shaft receiving portion (205) may be positioned at the center of the rear surface of the circular air guide portion (203a). The shaft receiving portion (205) protrudes in a direction opposite to the recessed direction of the air guide portion (203a). Accordingly, the air guide portion (203a) and the shaft receiving portion (205) may form a recessed shape with high structural stability.

[0066] A support shaft (240) may be connected to the center of the rear surface of the drum (27, see Fig. 2). A plurality of inlet holes (28) may be provided on the rear surface of the drum (27) through which dry air radiated by the air guide portion (203a) of the rear plate (200) is introduced.

[0067] The drum (20) can be supported by a support shaft (240) at the center of the rear surface (27) of the drum. The support shaft (240) can be stably coupled to the through hole (207) of the shaft receiving portion (205) by the uneven structure formed by the air guide portion (203a) and the shaft receiving portion (205) having excellent structural stability. When the drum (20) rotates in the forward or reverse direction by the driving force provided from the driving motor (31, see FIG. 3), the uneven structure can improve or minimize the deterioration of the durability of the rear plate (200) due to vibration generated when the drum (20) rotates.

[0068] A rear cover (210) can be detachably attached to the rear of the rear plate (200). The rear cover (210) can prevent the duct (230) and heater (250) positioned on the rear of the rear plate (200) from being exposed to the outside and protect them from external impact.

[0069] FIG. 6 is a drawing of a duct and a heater coupled to a rear plate of a dryer according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is a drawing of a duct provided on a rear plate of a dryer according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 8 is a drawing of a portion of a rear plate of a dryer according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure where a duct is coupled. FIG. 9 is a drawing of a heater provided on a rear plate of a dryer according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0070] Referring to FIG. 6, a duct (230) and a heater (250) covering the second opening (204) of the rear plate (200) may be arranged on the rear side of the rear plate (200).

[0071] Since the duct (230) and heater (250) are positioned at the rear of the rear plate (200), the user can easily access the duct (230) and heater (250) by simply detaching the rear cover (210) from the rear plate (200) when maintaining the duct (230) and / or heater (250).

[0072] The duct (230) can form a passage that guides high-temperature dry air that flows from the front to the rear of the rear plate (200) through the first opening (201) of the rear plate (200) to the second opening (204) of the rear plate (200).

[0073] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the tip (236a) of the duct (230) may be formed to be rounded to correspond to the curvature of the shaft receiving portion (205). The tip (236a) of the duct (230) may be provided with a plurality of first fastening holes (235a) into which a plurality of screws (not shown) are respectively coupled so as to be screw-fastened to the rear plate (200).

[0074] The rear end (236b) of the duct (230) may be spaced apart from the rear end of the rear plate (200) by a predetermined distance. In this case, a heater (250) may be inserted between the rear end (236b) of the duct (230) and the rear end of the rear plate (200).

[0075] The duct (230) may be provided with a first extension portion (231) and a second extension portion (232) on the left and right sides, respectively. The first extension portion (231) may be formed by bending from the left side of the duct (230) toward the rear of the rear plate (200), and the second extension portion (232) may be formed by bending from the right side of the duct (230) toward the rear of the rear plate (200).

[0076] A portion (231a) of the first extension portion (231) adjacent to the tip portion (236a) of the duct (230) and a portion (232b) of the second extension portion (232) may have a shape corresponding to the shape of the rear surface of the air guide portion (203a) so as to be in close contact with the rear surface of the air guide portion (203a). Accordingly, the duct (230) may surround three sides (204a, 204b, 204c) of the second opening (204) of the rear plate (200). Air passing through the first opening (201) of the rear plate (200) may be guided to the duct (230) and transported to the front of the rear plate (200) through the second opening (204) of the rear plate (200).

[0077] The first extension (231) and the second extension (232) may be provided with a plurality of second fastening holes (235b, 235c) to which a plurality of screws (not shown) are respectively coupled so as to be fastened to the rear plate (200).

[0078] The first extension portion (231) and the second extension portion (232) may be provided with a first coupling hole (233) and a second coupling hole (234), respectively, to which a first coupling protrusion (223) and a second coupling protrusion (224) formed in the flow path arrangement portion (203b) of the rear plate (200) are coupled. The first coupling protrusion (223) and the second coupling protrusion (224) may be formed integrally with the flow path arrangement portion (203b) of the rear plate (200).

[0079] The duct (230) can be coupled to the rear of the rear plate (200) by a plurality of screws and the first coupling protrusions (223) and the second coupling protrusions (224). Even if the screws become loose or come loose due to vibrations that may occur when the drum (20) rotates, the duct (230) can be firmly fixed to the rear plate (200) by the first coupling protrusions (223) and the second coupling protrusions (224).

[0080] When the ambient temperature of the dryer (1) is low, such as at the beginning of the dryer (1) operation or in winter, the air passing through the heat exchanger (70) may be lower than a temperature suitable for drying the object to be dried (system temperature). Conventional dryers required a predetermined preheating time to raise the air to the system temperature. The dryer (1) according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure can heat the air flowing into the duct (230) through the heater (250), thereby raising the temperature within the air passage of the dryer (1) (the passage formed by the inside of the base (60), the rear plate (200) and the rear cover (210), and the inside of the drum (23)). Accordingly, the dryer (1) can raise the system temperature in a short period of time, thereby shortening the preheating time of the dryer (1), and also shortening the overall drying time required to dry the object to be dried.

[0081] The heater (250) can be controlled to operate by a control unit (not shown) provided in the dryer (1) for a preset time at the beginning of the dryer (1) operation. The control unit can control the heater (250) to operate when the temperature detected by a temperature sensor (not shown) provided inside the dryer (1) is lower than the preset temperature.

[0082] The heater (250) may be provided with a housing and a heating element (e.g., a sheath heater) in the form of a heating wire arranged in a zigzag pattern on the inside of the housing. The heater (250) can minimize air leakage as its rear end is introduced into the duct (230) through the rear end (236b) of the duct (230) (see FIG. 6).

[0083] Referring to FIG. 9, the heater (250) may include an inlet (251) through which air passing through the first opening (201) of the rear plate (200) flows in and an outlet (253) through which air is discharged to the second opening (204) of the rear plate (200).

[0084] A first air intake guide (255) and a second air intake guide (257) that extend in an inclined direction away from each other may be provided at the top and bottom of the inlet (251) of the heater (250). In this way, the inlet of the heater (250) can maximize air flow by being expanded by the first air intake guide (255) and the second air intake guide (257).

[0085] The second air intake guide (257) of the heater (250) may be provided with a first slit (258a) and a second slit (258b) through which screws pass. The second air intake guide (257) of the heater (250) may be coupled to the heater fixing portion (222, see FIG. 8) of the rear plate (200) by fastening a plurality of screws to the first slit (258a) and the second slit (258b). Accordingly, the heater (250) may be firmly fixed to the rear of the rear plate (200) by having the rear portion of the heater (250) inserted into the inside of the duct (230) and the second air intake guide (257) of the heater (250) being coupled to the heater fixing portion (222) of the rear plate (200).

[0086] A heater mounting portion (221) may be provided between the flow path arrangement portion (203b) and the heater fixing portion (222) of the rear plate (200) to which the rear of the heater (250) is in close contact. The flow path arrangement portion (203b), the heater mounting portion (221), and the heater fixing portion (222) form respective parts of the rear plate (200). The heater mounting portion (221) may be recessed to a predetermined depth toward the rear of the rear plate (200) so as not to contact or interfere with a portion (27a) of the rear surface (27) of the drum, as shown in FIG. 2. In this case, the heater mounting portion (221) may be recessed deeper toward the rear of the rear plate (200) than the flow path arrangement portion (203b) and the heater fixing portion (222).

[0087] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the flow of high-temperature drying air through a rear plate of a dryer according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0088] Air passing through the heat exchanger (70, see Fig. 2) by the blower fan (80, see Fig. 2) can be converted into high-temperature dry air. Referring to Fig. 10, the high-temperature dry air passing through the heat exchanger (70) can move to the rear of the rear plate (200) through the first opening (201) of the rear plate (200).

[0089] High temperature dry air can be heated while passing through the interior of the heater (250) when the heater (250) is driven. The high temperature dry air passing through the heater (250) can be guided to the duct (230) and pass through the second opening (204) of the rear plate (200).

[0090] High-temperature dry air passing through the second opening (204) of the rear plate (200) can be discharged to the air guide portion (203a) of the rear plate (200). The high-temperature dry air discharged to the air guide portion (203a) can be guided in a circumferential direction along the inner surface of the air guide portion (203a) having a substantially circular shape toward the rear surface (27, see FIG. 2) of the drum. In this case, some of the high-temperature dry air can be guided toward the rear surface (27) of the drum along the rear surface (205a) of the shaft receiving portion (205).

[0091] In this way, the air guide part (203a) provided on the front of the rear plate (200) is arranged to face the rear surface (27) of the drum, and there is no predetermined structure between the air guide part (203a) of the rear plate (200) and the rear surface (27). The high-temperature dry air guided to the air guide part (203a) of the rear plate (200) can be directly supplied to the inlet (21) of the drum (20) without interference. Therefore, the dryer (1) according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure can supply a sufficient amount of high-temperature dry air capable of drying the object to be dried into the drum (20) even if the overall size increases or the processing capacity of the object to be dried increases.

[0092] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional side view of a dryer according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 12 is an exploded view showing an example of a duct and a heater being coupled to a rear plate of a dryer according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0093] The dryer (1a) illustrated in Fig. 11 has the same configuration as the dryer (1) illustrated in Fig. 2, except for the position of the blower fan (81) and the size of the first opening (201) of the rear plate (200). Hereinafter, in describing the dryer (1a) illustrated in Fig. 11, the position of the blower fan (81) and the size of the first opening (201-1) of the rear plate (200-1) will be mainly described.

[0094] Referring to FIG. 11, a dryer (1a) according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure may have a blower fan (81) positioned adjacent to the lower portion of the rear plate (200-1).

[0095] For example, the first opening (201-1) of the rear plate (200-1) may be formed to be larger in size so that the blower fan (81) can be positioned inside the first opening (201-1). The size of the first opening (201-1) of the rear plate (200-1) may be, for example, a size that does not interfere with the blower fan (81) when it rotates. The size of the first opening (201-1) of the rear plate (200-1) may be formed to be larger than the outer diameter of the blower fan (81).

[0096] Referring to FIG. 12, the rear plate (200-1) can have its lower portion removed, unlike the rear plate (200) illustrated in FIG. 10, so that the rear plate (200-1) does not interfere with the rear plate (200-1) when the blower fan (81) is positioned at the lower rear of the dryer (1a). Accordingly, the vertical length of the rear plate (200-1) can be shorter than the upward length of the rear plate (200) illustrated in FIG. 10.

[0097] The rear cover (210-1) can be detachably connected to the rear of the rear plate (200-1). The rear cover (210-1) can have a similar size and shape to the rear cover (210) illustrated in FIG. 4. When the rear cover (210-1) is mounted on the rear of the rear plate (200-1), the lower portion (211-1) of the rear cover (210-1) can cover the blower fan (81). Accordingly, the blower fan (81) can be protected from external impact without being exposed to the outside by the rear cover (210-1), and the inflow of foreign substances can be prevented or minimized.

[0098] When the user detaches the rear cover (210-1) from the rear plate (200-1) during maintenance of the duct (230-1) and / or heater (250-1), the user can easily access not only the duct (230-1) and heater (250-1) but also the blower fan (81). Accordingly, the inconvenience of having to detach the rear plate (200-1) from the dryer (1a) to maintain the blower fan (81) can be eliminated.

[0099] The rear plate (200-1) may include a second opening (204-1) that guides high-temperature dry air moved to the lower portion of the rear plate (200-1) by the blower fan (81) located at the lower side toward the front of the rear plate (200-1). The opening (204-1) of the rear plate (200-1) may be formed in a part of the air guide portion (203-1). For example, the opening (204-1) of the rear plate (200-1) may be formed by removing a part of the air guide portion (203-1).

[0100] The duct (230-1) may be mounted on the rear of the rear plate (200-1). The duct (230-1) may cover the opening (204-1) of the rear plate (200-1). The heater (250-1) may be inserted between the rear plate () and the duct (230-1) and may be positioned adjacent to the opening (204-1) of the rear plate (200-1). Accordingly, the air transported to the lower portion of the rear plate (200-1) by the blower fan (81) passes through the heater (250-1) and then flows into the opening of the rear plate (200-1). The dryer (1a) can heat the air flowing into the inside of the drum (23) by the heater (250-1), and thus can increase the temperature within the air passage of the dryer (1a) (the passage formed by the inside of the base (60), the rear plate (200-1) and the rear cover (210-1), and the inside of the drum (23)). Accordingly, the dryer (1a) can increase the system temperature in a short period of time, and thus can shorten the preheating time of the dryer (1a), and can also shorten the overall drying time required to dry the object to be dried.

[0101] The duct (230-1) can be screw-fastened to the rear of the rear plate (200-1). In addition, the duct (230-1) can be provided with a coupling hole (234-1) to which coupling protrusions (224-1) formed on the rear plate (200-1) are respectively coupled. Accordingly, since the duct (230-1) is coupled to the rear of the rear plate (200-1) by a plurality of screws and the coupling protrusions (224-1) of the rear plate (200-1), even if the fastening of the screws becomes loose or comes off due to vibration that may occur when the drum (20) rotates, the duct (230-1) can be firmly fixed to the rear plate (200-1) by the coupling protrusions (224-1).

[0102] Although the preferred embodiments have been illustrated and described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and various modifications may be made by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains without departing from the gist of the present disclosure as claimed in the claims, and such modifications should not be understood individually from the technical idea or prospect of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A drum that accommodates the drying object; A heat exchanger for heating and drying the air to be supplied into the interior of the drum; and A rear plate for guiding high temperature dry air supplied from the above heat exchanger; The above rear plate, A first opening through which high temperature dry air supplied from the above heat exchanger is introduced; A duct coupled to the rear of the rear plate so that high temperature dry air introduced through the first opening flows along the rear of the rear plate; and A dryer comprising a second opening for discharging high temperature dry air flowing through the duct along the rear surface of the rear plate to the front surface of the rear plate so as to supply the drum.

2. In paragraph 1, The above rear plate, A dryer comprising an air guide portion provided on the front side of the rear plate and guiding high-temperature dry air discharged through the second opening to the drum.

3. In paragraph 2, The above air guide part, A dryer, which corresponds to the rear surface of the drum and is recessed from the front surface of the rear plate toward the rear surface of the rear plate.

4. In paragraph 3, The above air guide part, A dryer having a circular shape and radially guiding high-temperature dry air discharged through the second opening toward the rear of the drum.

5. In paragraph 3, A dryer, wherein the second opening is formed in a part of the air guide section in a straight line with the first opening.

6. In paragraph 3, The above duct, The tip is in close contact with the air guide part at the second opening, and has a shape corresponding to the rear surface of the air guide part at the second opening, A dryer, wherein the rear end extends in the direction of the first opening.

7. In paragraph 6, The above rear plate, A heater is included, which is insertable into the interior of the duct through the rear end of the duct; The above heater, An inlet facing the first opening when the heater is inserted into the interior of the duct; 1st air intake guide; and including a second air intake guide; A dryer in which the first air intake guide and the second air intake guide extend from the inlet of the heater to expand the inlet of the heater.

8. In paragraph 7, A dryer, wherein one of the first air intake guide and the second air intake guide is fixed to the rear of the rear plate.

9. In paragraph 3, The above rear plate, Including an axis receiving portion arranged within the air guide portion and protruding forward of the rear plate; The above dryer, A dryer, comprising: a support shaft coupled to the shaft receiving portion and rotatably supporting the drum; 10. In paragraph 9, The above-mentioned shaft receiving portion is positioned at the center of the above-mentioned air guide portion, A dryer, wherein the air guide portion and the shaft receiving portion together form a rough structure.

11. In paragraph 2, The above rear plate, Including a first coupling protrusion and a second coupling protrusion protruding toward the rear of the rear plate, The above duct, A dryer comprising a first coupling hole and a second coupling hole, in which the first coupling protrusion and the second coupling protrusion are coupled, respectively, on both sides of the duct.

12. In paragraph 2, The above rear plate, A dryer, comprising a rear panel that is detachably coupled to the rear of the rear plate and covers the first opening, the second opening, and the duct when coupled to the rear of the rear plate.

13. In paragraph 1, A dryer further comprising a blower fan for forcibly transferring high-temperature dry air through the first opening.

14. In paragraph 13, The above blower fan, A dryer, positioned adjacent to the first opening on the above base.

15. In paragraph 14, The above blower fan is placed in the first opening, A dryer, wherein the first opening has a size larger than the outer diameter of the blower fan so as to be spaced apart from the outside of the blower fan.

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